Understanding Demand

Over the last several months, we have been exploring the concept of ‘demand’ in the context of energy use and why it matters more today than ever before. While energy use measures how much electricity you consume over time, demand measures how much electricity you are using at a specific moment. The challenge isn’t always how much electricity you use, but how many appliances and other equipment are running at the same time.

Below are some household appliances and equipment that create the highest electrical demand.

The good news is that lowering your demand doesn’t necessarily mean using less electricity. In many cases, it’s simply a matter of avoiding the use of several high-demand appliances at the same time. By spreading out when you use large electric loads, you can help reduce stress on both your home’s electric system and the electric grid.

Here’s another way to think about it:
Think of demand like traffic on a highway. A few cars aren’t a problem, but when everyone tries to use the road at once, congestion occurs. The same principle applies to the electric grid. When we spread out the use of large appliances and equipment, electricity flows more efficiently for everyone.